Customs Tightens Border Controls to Counter Sanctions
Voldemar Linno, head of the Estonian Tax and Customs Department, emphasized the heightened importance of sanctions implementation in the customs field. This heightened vigilance particularly targets goods potentially destined for Russia’s military.
“Carrying out full customs checks instead of risk-based checks significantly increases the time required at border crossings, potentially halving the throughput capacity between Estonia and Russia,” the department warned. “We urge travelers to allocate extra time for border crossings during this period.”
For pedestrians, full customs screening involves individual checks of both passengers and luggage. Vehicles and their cargo are also subject to thorough inspections. Passengers traveling by regular bus are required to disembark with their luggage and undergo a customs inspection similar to that applied to pedestrians.
During inspections, officials verify vehicle registration, open cargo compartments, and conduct comprehensive inspections.
Last year, Estonian customs officers identified over 5,000 violations, with some individuals being denied entry at the Narva border control point due to suspected sanctions violations. Such violations are considered criminal and are investigated by the Security Police.
The Estonian government implemented full border control on July 4th in response to heightened concerns over sanctions evasion attempts and an increased threat assessment.